Big City Lights: New York City via New Jersey Road Trip

The bright lights of Times Square, New York City.
Route: Wilmington ➔ New York City (Manhattan) via I-95/NJ Turnpike ➔ return same route (or via I-295), ~250 miles round-trip.

If you’re up for a taste of the Big Apple, Wilmington is only about 2.5 hours from New York City. Plan for an early start (many travelers leave by 6 AM) to maximize your day. Drive north on I-95 through Delaware and into New Jersey, following the NJ Turnpike past cities like Newark and Jersey City. As you approach NYC, you’ll cross over or under the Hudson River most likely via the Lincoln Tunnel into Midtown Manhattan (or you can choose the Holland Tunnel into downtown, or the George Washington Bridge uptown, depending on your destination). Once in Manhattan, it’s best to park your car in a garage and leave it for the day driving around the city isn’t practical if you want to see the sights, and garage parking for the day will cost around $30–$40 (worth it to avoid circling busy streets). With the car tucked away, the day is yours in NYC: you could start in Lower Manhattan to see the Statue of Liberty (catch the ferry from Battery Park for views of Lady Liberty and Ellis Island) and pay respects at the moving 9/11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center site. Then make your way uptown to Times Square, where the energy is off the charts with its giant digital billboards and crowds of people at all hours. From Times Square you can walk to Broadway theaters, Rockefeller Center (consider going up to the “Top of the Rock” observation deck for a stunning skyline view), or over to 5th Avenue for world-class shopping. Central Park is also a must-see oasis amid the skyscrapers even if you just stroll a small section, you’ll get a breath of fresh air and see street performers and maybe a horse-drawn carriage or two. Depending on your interests, you might visit an iconic museum like the Metropolitan Museum of Art (near Central Park) or the Museum of Modern Art, or explore neighborhoods like Chinatown (for knock-off handbags and tasty dumplings) or Little Italy (for a cannoli and espresso). The key is to prioritize a few highlights NYC has more to do than you can possibly fit in one day, so pick what excites you most, and know that even a quick day trip will give you some amazing memories. By evening, as the city lights come on, grab one last slice of New York pizza or a hot pretzel, then retrieve your car for the journey back to Wilmington.

Places to Eat:

Iconic NYC Bites: New York is a food lover’s paradise, even on the go. For a quick lunch, you can’t go wrong with a classic New York slice of pizza try Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village or a multitude of 99¢ slice joints for a cheap, authentic bite. Or, grab a Nathan’s hot dog (or a Sabrett’s from a street cart with the works) as you wander. If you sit down to eat, consider Katz’s Delicatessen on the Lower East Side it’s famous for its piled-high pastrami sandwiches and was featured in numerous films. In Chinatown, dim sum at Jing Fong or hand-pulled noodles at a hole-in-the-wall spot will give you a delicious taste of the city’s diversity.
Sweet Treats & Cafes: Need a caffeine fix or a snack? Pop into a local bagel shop New York bagels are legendary (get one “with a schmear” of cream cheese at a spot like Ess-a-Bagel or Russ & Daughters). Or indulge in a treat like a black-and-white cookie from a bakery. If you have time in the afternoon, a stop by Central Park’s Tavern on the Green (pricey) or a trendy café in Soho for coffee can be a nice break. And for dessert, how about a creamy cheesecake at Junior’s near Times Square? Whatever your taste, NYC has an option from $1 pizza slices to Michelin-starred restaurants, it’s all there.

Lodging:

Overnight Option: This New York City run is long but feasible as a day trip. However, if you decide to stay overnight to catch a Broadway show or just avoid a late-night drive back, you have choices. Staying in Manhattan puts you in the middle of the action (look for hotels in Midtown or around Times Square if convenience is key, though prices will be steep). A more budget-friendly strategy is to stay just outside the city for example, in Jersey City or Hoboken, NJ, where hotels are cheaper and you can take a PATH train or ferry straight into Manhattan in 15–20 minutes. Some travelers even park their car in New Jersey (e.g. at a PATH station or a park-and-ride) and then use a hotel in Manhattan without worrying about the car. Another option is staying near Newark Penn Station or at a Newark Airport hotel and commuting in by train. Any way you do it, book ahead if possible, and keep in mind hotel parking fees and tolls if you bring the car into the city.

Pro Tip:Driving in Manhattan isn’t for the faint of heart expect congestion and bold drivers at every turn. Unless you’re very comfortable with city driving, it’s perfectly okay (even wise) to avoid driving into the city itself. One idea is to park in New Jersey and take public transit into Manhattan: for example, park at a NJ Transit or PATH train station such as Harrison or Secaucus and ride the train the last few miles. This way you skip the worst traffic and high tunnel tolls, and parking in NJ can be as low as $7–$10 per day, compared to much more in the city. If you do drive all the way, have an E-ZPass if possible for tolls the Lincoln/Holland Tunnels and many bridges are cashless tolls now, and the peak-hour toll into NYC is around $16 (E-ZPass gives a discount and saves you time at the plaza). Try to arrive in NYC after the morning rush (after 10 AM) and plan to leave after the evening rush (post-7 PM) to avoid getting stuck in commuter traffic. Lastly, wear comfortable shoes and bring your sense of adventure New York is best explored on foot and via subway. A day trip to NYC is undoubtedly a long day, but it’s truly magical: you could be eating breakfast at a café in Wilmington and then find yourself standing in the bright glow of Times Square by afternoon. With good planning, you’ll squeeze in a satisfying sampler of NYC’s sights and still make it back home to Delaware, capping off an epic day with bragging rights that you conquered NYC in a day. Enjoy the journey, and don’t forget to take plenty of photos!

Big City Lights: New York City via New Jersey Road Trip

The bright lights of Times Square, New York City.
Route: Wilmington ➔ New York City (Manhattan) via I-95/NJ Turnpike ➔ return same route (or via I-295), ~250 miles round-trip.

Places to Eat:

Iconic NYC Bites: New York is a food lover’s paradise, even on the go. For a quick lunch, you can’t go wrong with a classic New York slice of pizza try Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village or a multitude of 99¢ slice joints for a cheap, authentic bite. Or, grab a Nathan’s hot dog (or a Sabrett’s from a street cart with the works) as you wander. If you sit down to eat, consider Katz’s Delicatessen on the Lower East Side it’s famous for its piled-high pastrami sandwiches and was featured in numerous films. In Chinatown, dim sum at Jing Fong or hand-pulled noodles at a hole-in-the-wall spot will give you a delicious taste of the city’s diversity.
Sweet Treats & Cafes: Need a caffeine fix or a snack? Pop into a local bagel shop New York bagels are legendary (get one “with a schmear” of cream cheese at a spot like Ess-a-Bagel or Russ & Daughters). Or indulge in a treat like a black-and-white cookie from a bakery. If you have time in the afternoon, a stop by Central Park’s Tavern on the Green (pricey) or a trendy café in Soho for coffee can be a nice break. And for dessert, how about a creamy cheesecake at Junior’s near Times Square? Whatever your taste, NYC has an option from $1 pizza slices to Michelin-starred restaurants, it’s all there.

Lodging:

Overnight Option: This New York City run is long but feasible as a day trip. However, if you decide to stay overnight to catch a Broadway show or just avoid a late-night drive back, you have choices. Staying in Manhattan puts you in the middle of the action (look for hotels in Midtown or around Times Square if convenience is key, though prices will be steep). A more budget-friendly strategy is to stay just outside the city for example, in Jersey City or Hoboken, NJ, where hotels are cheaper and you can take a PATH train or ferry straight into Manhattan in 15–20 minutes. Some travelers even park their car in New Jersey (e.g. at a PATH station or a park-and-ride) and then use a hotel in Manhattan without worrying about the car. Another option is staying near Newark Penn Station or at a Newark Airport hotel and commuting in by train. Any way you do it, book ahead if possible, and keep in mind hotel parking fees and tolls if you bring the car into the city.